THE NATURE AND nor conscience pacified by them. This made them be- take themselves to Purgatory. Here they have hopes all will be set right, when they are gone out of this world, from whencenone could come back to complain of their disappointments. These things are not spoken to condenso even external severities and auterities, in fastings, watchings, and abstinencies, in their proper place. Our nature is apt to run intoextremes; because we seethe vanityof the Papists inplacing mortification of sin in an outward shadow and appearance of it, in that bodily exercise which profiteth not; we are apt to think that all things of that nature are utterly needless, and cannot be subordinate unto spiritual ends. But the truth is, I shall much suspect their internal mortification (pretend what they will) who always pamper the flesh, indulge to their sensual appetite, conform to the world, and lead their lives in idleness and pleasures. Yea, it is high time, that professors, by joint consent, should retrench that course of life, in fulness of diet, bravery of apparel, expense of time in vain conversation, which many are fallen into. But these outward austerities of themselves, I say, will never effect the end aimed at: for, as to the most of them, they being such as God never appointed unto any such end or pur- pose, but being the fruit of mens own contrivances and inventions; let them be insisted on and pursued un- to the most imaginable extremities, being not blessed of God thereunto, theywill not contribute the least to- wards the mortification of sin. Neither is there either virtue or efficacy in the residue of them, but as they are subordinated unto other spiritual duties. So Hierome gives us an honest instance in himself, telling us that whilst helived in his horridwilderness in Judea, and " lodged in his cave, his mind would be in the sports and revels at home." Sect. 26. (S.) The like may be said of the Quakers amongst ourselves. That which first recommended them, was anappearance ofmortification, which it may be also some of them really intended, though, it is evi- dent, they never understood the nature of it; for, in the height of their outward appearances, as they came short of the sorry weeds, begging habits, macerated countenances, and severe looks of many Monks in the Roman church, anddervises among the Mahometans; so they wereso far from restraining or mortifying their real inclinations, as that they seemed to excite and pro- --------- ----^ CAUSES OF IT. 329 yoke themselves to exceed all others in clamours, rail- ings, evil speakings, reproaches, calumnies, and malici- ous treating of those who dissented from them, without the least discovery of an heart filled with kindness and benignity unto mankind, or love unto any but them- selves; in which frame and state of things, sin is as secure from mortification as in the practiceof open lusts and debaucheries. But, supposing that they made a real industrious attempt for the mortification of sin, what success have they had, what have they attained unto? Some of them have very wisely slipt over the whole work and duty of it into a pleasing dream of perfection. And, generally, finding the fruitlessness of their attempt, and that indeed sin will not be mortified by the power of their light within, nor by their reso- lutions, nor by any of their austere outward appear- ances, nor peculiar habits or looks, which, in this mat- ter, are openly pharisaical, they begin to give over their design: for who, among all that pretend to any reverence of God, do more openly indulge themselves unto covetousness, love of the world, emulation, strife, contentions among themselves, severe revenges against others, than they do? not to mention the filth and un- cleanness they begin mutually to charge one another withal. And so will all self devised ways of mortifi- cation end. It is the Spirit of God alone who leads us into the exercise of those duties whereby it may be car - ried on. Sect. 27.(Secondly,) It is required, that the du- ties to be used unto this end be rightly performed, in faith, unto the glory of God. Without this, a multipli- cation of duties is an increaseof burden and bondage, and that is all. Now, that wecan perform no duty in this way or manner, without the especial assistance of the Holy Spirit, bath been sufficiently before evinced: and the duties which are appointed of God, in an espe- cial manner, unto this end, are prayer, meditation, watchfulness, abstinence, wisdom, or circumspection, with reference unto temptations and their prevalency. Not to go over these duties in particular, nor to shew wherein their especial efficacyunto this end and purpose doth consist, 1 shall only give some general rules con- cerning the exercising ofour souls in them, and some directions for their right performance. Sect. 28.(t.) Allthese duties are to be designed and managedwith an especial respect unto this end. It will
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